Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) is the world’s largest and most influential wine competitors. This yr, wines from 57 nations had been judged by 248 high worldwide consultants, together with 22 Grasp Sommeliers and 72 Masters of Wine – essentially the most within the competitors’s historical past.
Now in its twenty second yr, this rigorous tasting course of has assured that wines bearing the DWWA medal supply nice high quality, thrilling flavours and sometimes wonderful worth.
The 2025 awards revealed excellent wines to discover – from basic French areas to rising producers in stunning places.
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Here is a easy information to some standout wines from this yr’s international tasting, with straightforward suggestions to get pleasure from at residence or present to pals.
French classics that impressed
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France continues to steer the world in wine high quality. This yr’s winners embrace:
Barons de Rothschild Uncommon Assortment Blanc de Blancs Additional Brut, Champagne 2014
Greatest in Present, 97 factors
An expensive, recent Champagne with vivid citrus and crisp apple notes – excellent for celebrations.
Jean-Marc Brocard, Bougros, Chablis Grand Cru, Burgundy 2023
Greatest in Present, 97 factors
A refined white wine from Burgundy with delicate mineral flavors and crisp acidity, perfect with seafood or gentle dishes.
For excellent worth, strive:
Domaines Bonfils, Château Vaugelas V, Corbières, Languedoc-Roussillon 2023
Worth Platinum, 97 factors (below £15)
A vibrant pink from southern France with juicy berry flavors – excellent for informal dinners.
Italian excellence
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Italy confirmed a robust line-up on this yr’s competitors, particularly Tuscany and Piedmont areas.
Tenuta Meraviglia Maestro di Cava, Bolgheri Superiore Tuscany 2020
Greatest in Present, 97 factors
A wealthy pink wine from Tuscany with layers of darkish fruit and spice – nice with pasta or grilled meats.
Tenuta Roletto, Erbaluce di Caluso, Passito, Piedmont 2013
Gold, 95 factors
This candy white from Piedmont is pure lush indulgence – caramel, butterscotch and dried fruit wrapped in velvety sweetness.
Spanish surprises
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Spain continues to shine with all kinds of types.
Don Bernardino, La Capona Amandi, Ribeira Sacra 2019
Greatest in Present, 97 factors
A robust pink from Ribeira Sacra constituted of the Mencía grape, stuffed with vibrant fruit and earthiness.
González Byass Del Duque VORS Amontillado, Sherry NV
Platinum, 97 factors
A fantastically aged Sherry, stuffed with nutty, caramel flavors – implausible with tapas or cheese.
Cava as a glowing different?
Spain does pretty conventional technique aged glowing wines that ship wonderful style and nice worth – excellent for on a regular basis consuming or informal gatherings. A terrific instance?
Bodegas Martinez Paiva, Brut Nature, Cava 2020, a Gold-awarded wine with 95 factors
Rising stars: Off the crushed monitor
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England’s glowing wines proceed to win reward and worldwide consideration:
Sugrue South Downs, The Bother With Desires, Sussex 2009 (magnum)
Greatest in Present, 97 factors
A sublime English glowing wine with creamy texture and vivid fruit – an actual showstopper for particular events.
In the meantime, Greece achieved a record-breaking yr with 20 top-tier medals (95+ factors), marking 2025 as a ‘breakout yr’:
Anhydrous, Santorini, Aegean Islands, Greece, 2019
Greatest in Present, 97 factors
Judges commented: “Is Santorini Assyrtiko a white that improves within the bottle? The 5 years or extra that this mix of Assyrtiko (with a seasoning of Aidani and Athiri) has seen, has resulted in a wine of a barely richer straw-yellow than ordinary, with aromas that instantly appear to take you to an elemental place of sunshine and stone.”
New world highlights
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Craggy Vary, Pinot Noir, Martinborough, Wairarapa, New Zealand 2024
Greatest in Present, 97 factors
Vivid, daring and fantastically balanced. This Martinborough Pinot Noir bursts with vivid raspberry, cherry, and plum. Silky and easy, it is a pure match for roast rooster or pork.
Argentina doubled its top-tier medal rely from final yr, with 46 high medals. A terrific wine to strive is Bemberg Property Wines, Pionero, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Mendoza 2022
Greatest in Present, 97 factors
As soon as seen as too chilly for reds, this high-altitude Argentinian area is now producing among the most elegant, advanced wines round. This mix is darkish, easy, and fragrant—with blackcurrant, silky tannins, and a recent, refined end.
Subsequent up is a landmark producer who recognized Carmenère in Chile simply over 30 years in the past. Their Antiyal, Viñedo Escorial Natural Carmenère, Maipó Valley 2020 acquired a Greatest in Present and 97 factors.
This pink is deep, darkish, and fantastically balanced, with plum and cherry fruit, savory tannins, and not one of the inexperienced notes that after held the grape again. A cultured, food-friendly Chilean basic.
Implausible finds below $20
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You needn’t lay our a fortune to get pleasure from award-winning wines. Listed below are a couple of budget-friendly picks:
Suvorov Vineyard, Black Crane Viorica, Stefan Voda, Moldova 2024 – Worth Gold, 95 factors
McGuigan Bin 9000 Semillon, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia 2018, Worth Gold, 95 factors
See extra worth wines right here.
Whether or not you are new to wine or simply in search of one thing nice to strive, these wines characterize the easiest from this yr’s international choices. From France to China, DWWA is a useful information for customers to make the world of wine extra vibrant and accessible than ever. Search all profitable wines right here.
Subsequent time you’re procuring, search for a DWWA medal on the bottle or ask for suggestions impressed by these winners – you may simply uncover your new favourite bottle.
